Apparatus for Dispensing a Lottery Ticket

ABSTRACT

A lottery ticket is printed on a substrate sheet material having a front surface with lottery game indicia printed thereon and a removable covering material, typically scratch-off material, covering the lottery game indicia which is removable by a player to expose the game indicia for playing the game and other game information printed on the substrate sheet material where at least part of the substrate sheet material is formed of a translucent synthetic material to enable viewing through the part by the player. In order to allow the ticket to be dispensed in a row of the tickets from a dispensing machine with an optical sensor, a patch of an opaque or semi-opaque material is applied onto the substrate at a location to cooperate with the sensor while it is operating to detect ticket location.

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.15/357,506 filed Nov. 21, 2016 which is pending which is a continuationin part of application Ser. No. 14/718,666 filed May 21, 2015 which isabandoned.

This invention relates to dispensing a scratch-off lottery ticket whereat least a part of the ticket, carrying the lottery ticket informationand the covering material applied thereto, is transparent ortranslucent.

Also disclosed is a construction of the ticket and a method of playing alottery ticket game where at a second ticket when viewed through atranslucent part of a first ticket is arranged so that a characteristicof the translucent part exposes data on the second ticket which is notvisible when viewed without the translucent part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lottery tickets are well known and widely sold and typically comprise asheet material of paper or card stock on which is printed lotteryinformation and various indicia for the playing of one or more games.Many such games are instant win type games where the player can play thegame or games by carrying out various functions. These include a firsttype of ticket which involves removing a scratch-off layer forscratch-off tickets. A second type of ticket involves opening pull tabswindows for what are known as break-open tickets. Such tickets are alsoknown variously as pull-tabs, pickle cards, jar tickets, hard cards andcharitable gaming tickets. Typically, these two distinct types oflottery tickets are targeted to different markets.

The break-open ticket is typically manufactured in a process whichinvolves firstly printing using a printing press a full sheet which thusdefines a set of the tickets in rows and columns which is laminated to asimilar sheet of top sheet portions. The laminated sheets then must becut in a mechanical cutting station into the individual ticket portions.The tickets thus formed are limited to the symbol combinations printedin the set. This leads generally to a reduced level of security forbreak-opens generally thus limiting the prize value which can beprovided.

The present invention relates to both scratch-off and break-open ticketsbut is primarily concerned with scratch-off tickets where the substratemust also provide the necessary security characteristics such asopacity.

Scratch-off lottery tickets have up to date been printed on cardstock orfoil laminated substrates for decades. Such substrates are typicallyrelatively stiff and dimensionally stable to allow printing and toprovide a finished product which remains generally flat when used by theplayer. This flat stiff structure enables the player to easily hold theticket and hold the game area flat as the scratching process is applied.

Also the substrate used to date is opaque. It will be appreciated thatthe area containing the game data must be sufficiently opaque that itcannot be compromised by a strong light shone through the substrate andthe game data. The degree of opacity to obtain this feature is typicallyassisted by printed layers of opaque material including a backing layerunder the game data and the scratch-off material itself. Foil substratesare sufficiently opaque so that no additional layers are requiredalthough typically a white layer is applied beneath the game data toprovide a higher contrast level between game indicia and the background.Card stock requires additional layers to provide the opacity required.However in all cases the substrate used has itself an initial highopacity level and other less opaque materials have thus been consideredunsuitable.

Also the substrate must pass thought the printing process and allow theprinting to be registered with a particular location on the substrate.Thus again foil substrates have a very high dimensional stability andhence are particularly desirable. Card stock has less dimensionalstability and may stretch slightly but in a manner which can be managedin the printing process. Other less stable materials have thus beenconsidered unsuitable.

As the substrate used to date therefore is either laminate stockincluding but not limited to foil laminates, transfer film laminates,etc. or card stock including various stock weights such as text weightand cover weight, aesthetic variation are limited to combinations ofgraphics, inks and coatings. In the continuing challenge to capture theattention of consumers in the cluttered retail environment, fast movingconsumer packaged goods, including lottery tickets, rely on fresh newpackaging options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide a ticket using a substratewhich is at least partly of a translucent plastics material which can besupplied to a customer by cooperating with a dispensing machine.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensinglottery tickets comprising:

a strip of tickets joined end to end in a row with a line of weaknessbetween each ticket and the next;

a transport mechanism for feeding the tickets along a dispensing path;

a separator located along the dispensing path by which adjacent ticketsare separated from one another;

at least one rotationally driven feed roller contacting the tickets at alocation along the dispensing path upstream of the separator to advancethe tickets toward the separator;

at least one rotationally driven discharge roller contacting the ticketsat a location along the dispensing path downstream of the separator todischarge the articles from the separator;

an optical sensor operable during at least a part of the movement of thestrip for detecting a location of a ticket as it moves along thedispensing path;

wherein the strip of lottery tickets comprises a substrate sheetmaterial where at least a portion of the substrate sheet material istranslucent;

lottery game indicia printed a the front surface of each ticket;

an area of opaque material covering the lottery game indicia whichmaterial is removable to expose the game indicia;

and a patch of material which is more opaque than the substrate sheetmaterial which patch is located on the substrate sheet material inaddition to the area of the opaque material;

the patch being located on the ticket at a location for cooperation withthe optical sensor as the ticket moves on the path to prevent passage oflight from the optical sensor through the translucent substrate frominterfering with operation of the optical sensor.

In some cases it is necessary to prevent all transmission of light fromthe sensor so that the patch is substantially as opaque as the area ofopaque material.

In other cases the optical sensor can operate with some lighttransmission so that the patch allows passage of some light greater thanthat of the area which is insufficient to interfere with the operationof the optical sensor.

In some cases the patch is separate from the area so that there is aspace between them of the translucent material. However in other casesthe patch is contiguous with the area and hence is an additional portionof the area included not to cover the game data but so as tospecifically cooperate with the location of the optical sensor.

For use with some arrangements of dispensing machines, the patch forms astrip along a center of the ticket and extends from a leading edge ofthe ticket to a trailing edge of the ticket. This prevents a centrallylocated optical sensor detecting a translucent area which it thendetermines to be a break in the strip which can trigger a shutdown ofthe dispensing system.

For use with some arrangements of dispensing machine there is providedat least one additional patch at a location on the ticket spaced fromthe first patch and from the area.

The additional patch is typically arranged at a location on the ticketfor cooperation with a second optical sensor as the ticket moves on thepath to prevent passage of light from the second optical sensor throughthe translucent substrate from interfering with operation of the secondoptical sensor. The additional patch is typically in this case arrangedat a location on the ticket so that the patch and the additional patchare symmetrically arranged relative to a center line of the ticket. Inthis case the additional patch and said patch are arranged at a leadingor trailing edge of the ticket opposite the area so that the patchesrender the substrate opaque at the adjacent edge and the area rendersthe substrate opaque at the opposite edge for detection of the leadingand trailing edges by the optical sensors.

In most cases the patch is formed by an ink printed onto the translucentsubstrate material. However the patch can be another material such as alabel applied onto the substrate.

In most cases the whole of the ticket is formed by the translucentsubstrate so that the game indicia and the covering and the patch isapplied onto the translucent substrate. However the substrate may be acomposite construction where a part only of the substrate is formed bysaid translucent material and other parts of another material which isnot translucent. In this case the patch may be located at or defined bythe other material. That is the substrate material may be laminated toanother material and a part of the other material is omitted or removedto expose the translucent material.

The ticket can be arranged for security so that observation by anintruder of the game data from a rear of the ticket is prevented byprinting onto a rear surface of the substrate an opaque ink. Typicallythis can be in a thickness in the range 0.5 to 2 microns which isarranged to absorb or reflect any electromagnetic energy appliedthereto.

The substrate can be arranged to have the characteristic of a surfaceenergy greater than 39 Dyne/cm by applying to the substrate an acrylicemulsion or by treatment with corona discharge.

One example of the translucent material is where the substrate is PETbut other materials may be used.

The substrate may be colored.

The arrangement herein may be used with a method of constructing alottery ticket comprising:

forwarding a substrate sheet material comprises a synthetic or polymermaterial;

printing onto a front and rear surface of said substrate material anopaque non-removable lilypad;

printing onto the front and rear surface and on top of the opaquelilypad a white lilypad;

printing onto the front surface and onto the white lilypad usingvariable image printing an ink material arranged to display lottery gameindicia;

printing onto the front surface and covering the lottery game indiciawith one or more clear protective layers;

printing onto the front surface of the clear protective layer an opaquematerial covering the lottery game indicia which is removable by aplayer to expose the game indicia for playing the game;

wherein the substrate is arranged to have the following characteristics

Melting Point ≥150 C. ° Softening Point ≥110 C. ° Shrinkage ≤3% (30 minat 150 C. °) Surface Energy ≥39 Dyne/cm Optical Transmission ≥80% (400to 700 nm) Tensile Strength ≥20 Kg/mm² Tear Strength ≥20 g/Mil Caliper25-500 micron

Preferably the substrate is PET, but other materials defined herein canbe used.

For effective use as a lottery ticket, preferably the substrate has afold endurance of ≥103 cycles.

Preferably the litho ink is cured by ultraviolet or electron beamradiation energy but other types of curing processes can be used.

Typically the layers are applied to a portion only of the substrateleaving at least one other part which is translucent for use in theoperation of the ticket as described hereinafter.

In some cases the substrate is colored.

In some cases the whole of the ticket is formed by said substrate sothat the game indicia and the covering is printed on the said substratebut other embodiments can be provided where a part only of the substrateis formed by said material.

In some cases the synthetic plastics material is laminated to anothermaterial and a part of the other material is omitted or removed toexpose the synthetic plastics material for example in the form of awindow in the ticket.

The method described above may be used to form a lottery ticketcomprising:

a substrate sheet material having a front surface having lottery gameindicia printed thereon;

a removable covering material covering the lottery game indicia which isremovable by a player to expose the game indicia for playing the game;

game information printed on the substrate sheet material;

wherein at least part of the substrate sheet material comprises apolymer material.

Preferably the synthetic or polymer material is translucent to enableviewing through said at least a part by the player.

The method described above may be used to form a lottery ticketcomprising:

a substrate sheet material having a front surface having lottery gameindicia printed thereon;

a removable covering material covering the lottery game indicia which isremovable by a player to expose the game indicia for playing the game;

game information printed on the substrate sheet material;

wherein at least part of the substrate sheet material is translucent toenable viewing through said at least a part by the player.

Preferably the translucent material is arranged to have a character tochange the appearance of an underlying object viewed through thetranslucent material. That is the material can be the colored orpolarized or may have other characteristics which affect what is viewedunderneath.

The ticket may also include the use of refractive synthetic material toprovide a holographic appearance to all or a portion of the ticket.

The whole of the substrate can be formed by said material so that thegame indicia and the covering is printed on the said material or a partonly of the substrate is formed by said material.

Preferably the synthetic or polymer material is laminated to anothermaterial and a part of the other material is omitted or removed toexpose the synthetic plastics material.

For example the part removed may form a window in the ticket or a bandacross the ticket or any other shape within the main body of the ticket.

Preferably a part only of the substrate is formed by said material andanother part is formed of a card or foil stock and the game indicia andthe scratch-off or break-open covering is applied onto the other part.

Preferably the ticket is formed so that it has a dimensional stabilityand will be of similar caliper and stiffness so the ticket is relativelyuniform

Preferably the translucent/polymer material is selected so that it hasan opacity or can be made opaque with the use of opacifying chemistry tohide gaming indicia

Preferably the translucent/polymer material is selected so that it hasan array of thickness to satisfy the end user's needs.

The translucent/polymer material can be of single material constructionor made of multi-layers so that characteristics such as stiffness,dimensional stability and acceptance of printing can be selected andtailored to form a composite material.

The method described above may be used in a method of playing a lotteryticket game comprising:

providing a first and a second lottery ticket wherein each ticketcomprises:

-   -   a substrate sheet material having a front surface having lottery        game indicia printed thereon;    -   a removable covering material covering the lottery game indicia        which is removable by a player to expose the game indicia for        playing the game;    -   game information printed on the substrate sheet material;    -   wherein at least part of the substrate sheet material is        translucent to enable viewing through said at least a part by        the player;

and viewing the second ticket through a translucent part of the firstticket;

wherein the translucent part is arranged so that a characteristic of thetranslucent part of the first ticket combines with a characteristic ofthe viewed part of the second ticket.

As used herein, the surface with the game data on is termed as the frontsurface but this could be either the surface of a single substrate or onany one or more of the surfaces of a multi-layer ticket such as a foldedor multi-page ticket.

For example the characteristic of the translucent part of the firstticket combines with the characteristic of the viewed part of the secondticket to expose data on the second ticket which is not visible whenviewed without the translucent part.

Alternatively the characteristic of the translucent part of the firstticket combines with the characteristic of the viewed part of the secondticket to allow data on the second ticket to be combined with data onthe first ticket.

As yet further alternatives, the characteristic of the translucent partof the first ticket combines with the characteristic of the viewed partof the second ticket to allow graphic or other elements of the secondticket to be combined with graphic or other elements of the first ticketto create new aesthetic effects or messages.

As yet further alternatives, the characteristic of the translucent partof the first ticket combines with the characteristic of the viewed partof another printed item such as a photograph or digital image to createnew aesthetic effects or messages.

As yet further alternatives, the translucent portion(s) are covered inwhole or in part with scratch-off layers or a tab so that thetranslucent portion is not usable or only partially visible until theticket is purchased and played.

As yet further alternatives, multiple translucent films could becombined in a movable format such that they reveal or enhance part ofthe ticket experience when rotated or repositioned over each other.

As yet further alternatives, the translucent film combines with anencapsulated compound whereby applying the film to the ticket surfaceand rubbing the film causes the capsules to release a compound thatwould react with an invisible dye to make it visible.

As yet further alternatives, the translucent film can be folded overonto the same ticket to enhance another printed graphic element or thegame play experience.

The term “translucent” as used herein includes materials where light canpass through the substrate so that this may include materials which aretransparent where no light scattering occurs.

As described herein there is provided a substrate, comprising syntheticsubstrate(s) or a combination of synthetic substrate(s) with card stockand/or other types of opaque scratch-off lottery ticket substrate(s), toproduce a distinctive looking lottery ticket. The new substrate, whetherit is synthetic or a combination of synthetic and conventionalscratch-off ticket substrate(s) will satisfy the physical securityrequirements commonly provided by conventional ticket substrates forscratch-off lottery tickets.

The synthetic substrate can be transparent, semi-opaque, colored and/orpatterned. The scratch-off tickets feature an underlying layer or layersbeneath the game data, which will provide the opacity requirements toprevent transmitted light compromise or other methods of compromise usedwith the application of various frequencies of lighting, filters andimage capture and a layer or layers which will provide the contrastlevel between the background and game data to provide good legibility.In addition this combination of layers will also provide the adhesioncharacteristics necessary to bond the data to the synthetic substrateand compatibility with overlying security coatings designed to securethe variable data elements and provided the release characteristicsrequired for scratch-off removal by player. Similarly portions of thesynthetic substrate may be coated with underlying layer or layers toimprove graphic appearance and durability of the graphic images. Thesynthetic substrate provides enhanced chemical resistance to compromiseattempts from the back of the tickets compared to cardstock tickets.

Typical polymeric materials (sometimes known as plastics or syntheticmaterials) include as examples:

Polyester (PES).

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Polyethylene (PE).

High-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

Polypropylene (PP).

Polystyrene (PS).

Polycarbonate (PC).

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (Acrylic).

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Poly lactic acid (PLA)

Bioplastics

Biobased polymers

Recycled plastics

The material may be formed from one or more layers of these materials toprovide the required characteristics defined herein.

For hybrid ticket combining the synthetic and conventional ticketsubstrates, the synthetic substrate may be printed with artistic imagesand/or game-related information or data and the card stock or otherconventional ticket substrate contains the security layers, game indiciaand scratch-off material. The synthetic and conventional ticketsubstrate(s) are laminated together such that the appearance andtransparent or partially transparent quality of the synthetic printedportion is preserved in part or in its entirety, and the opaque,conventional stock portion(s) provides physical ticket securityqualities in keeping with conventional scratch-off lottery tickets.

The tickets can be supplied in the form of continuous, fanfolded bookswith perforations separating the individual tickets. They can howeveralso be provided as single tickets or sheets of tickets or rolls oftickets.

In the preferred embodiments, the new substrate enables interactivitybetween two or more tickets by overlaying the tickets and reading data,information or graphics printed on one ticket in combination with data,information or graphics printed on another ticket to form a newcombination of data, information or graphics. Other embodiments are alsopossible, including but not limited to the use of the syntheticsubstrate as a decoder. In this embodiment, the synthetic substratecould be semi-opaque, tinted or patterned, and when over-laid on top ofanother ticket, could serve to decode hidden or scrambled informationthat may be related to the game play. The synthetic substrate provides aunique appearance for graphics and, optionally, game elements, and theability to overlay one ticket on another to form a new graphic effect ornew combination of information, potentially transforming a non-winningticket into a winner.

The unique appearance of the synthetic ticket can catch attention atretail which drives sales for impulse products like lottery tickets. Theunique tactile quality and optional ability to combine multiple ticketsfor an added entertainment or additional chances to win will create ahigher perceived value for consumers, resulting in higher satisfactionand additional sales.

The tactile quality is obtained by selecting the characteristics so thatthe substrate is smooth and slick, giving the ticket a rich, highquality feel that is distinct from conventional scratch-off ticketsubstrates. It may also be textured or molded to add variety to thetactile sensation.

In one example the characteristic of the translucent part of the firstticket combines with the characteristic of the viewed part of the secondticket to enhance other images, create new graphic effects or decodehidden messages.

In one example the translucent material is patterned to enhance otherimages or create new visual effects or decode hidden messages.

The film preferably has the following characteristics:

-   -   Caliper=25 micron to 500 micron    -   Printable on one or both side of the substrate using        lithography, flexography, gravure, screen and digital printing    -   Substrate service temperature: −70 C to 200 C    -   Specific gravity of the film(s): 1.0 to 1.5 g/cm3    -   Surface energy level of 30 to 60 dyne    -   Water and oil resistant as it pertains to security lab testing    -   Acid and alkali resistant as it pertains to security lab testing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first ticket according to the invention wherethe ticket substrate is formed from a plastics or synthetic materialwith the game data and removable covering printed on the substrate.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second ticket according to the inventionwhere the ticket substrate is formed mainly from a conventional cardstock which is laminated to a window area formed from a plastics orsynthetic material with the game data and removable covering printed onthe card stock.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a third ticket according to the invention wherethe ticket substrate is formed mainly from a conventional card stockwhich is laminated to a window area formed from a plastics or syntheticmaterial with the game data and removable covering printed on the cardstock.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 showinga modified ticket with additional security components.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an alternative cross-sectional view along the lines 5-5 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first and second ticket according to theinvention where the game data or other elements of the second ticket areviewed through the translucent window of the first ticket to reveal gamedata or other elements not otherwise visible.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the method of manufacture of theticket.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the components of a dispensingmachine cooperating with a ticket of the type shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a row of the tickets of FIG. 9 with the opaquepatches which are located to cooperate with the optical sensor of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a ticket of FIG. 9 with an alternativearrangement of the opaque patch which is located to cooperate with theoptical sensor of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is provided a lottery ticket 10,10A, 10B each of which includes a substrate sheet material 11 having afront surface 12 having lottery game indicia 13 printed thereon. Aremovable covering material 14 covers the lottery game indicia 13 whichis removable by a player to expose the game indicia for playing thegame. The front surface includes game information 15 printed on thesubstrate sheet material 11.

In each of the figures the removable covering comprises a scratch-offcoating 14 typically printed over a release coating or varnish layer16C. The game data is printed onto a security layer 16 which includesone or more pigmented layers to form an opacity to prevent transmissionof light and which typically includes a white lily pad to provide a baseto render the game data 13 more visible.

In another arrangement, the game data can be printed on one syntheticsubstrate and then laminated another synthetic substrate over top toprotect the data.

In the present invention, at least part of the substrate sheet materialcomprises a synthetic plastics material 17. The plastics material can beformed of different layers 17A, 17B to provide the requiredcharacteristics as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the whole of the substrate is formed by the plasticsmaterial so that the game indicia 13 and the covering 14 is printed onthe material.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a part only of the substrate is formed by thematerial.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 synthetic polymer material 11 is laminated toanother material 18 such as the card stock and a part of the othermaterial is omitted or removed at an opening 19 to expose the syntheticplastics material 11. In FIG. 5 the part removed forms a window in theticket. In FIG. 3 the part removed forms a band 19A across the ticket.

As shown in FIG. 7 the synthetic polymer material 11 in the window 19 istranslucent to enable viewing by the player through the part of thesubstrate which is formed by the material. As shown a second ticket 10Cis viewed through the window and the translucent material is arranged tohave a character to change the appearance of an underlying object inthis case the game data 13 viewed through the translucent material. Thatis additional data 13A may become or be made visible by the effect ofthe change made by the translucent material. Typically the translucentmaterial is simply colored which then cooperates with colors on the gamedata to make the game data more or less visible.

However other characteristics in the material can be used such as thetranslucent material is polarized. Alternatively, the translucentmaterial could be patterned to enhance other images or create new visualeffects or decode hidden messages.

Where a part only of the substrate is formed by the polymer material andanother part is formed of a card or foil stock and the game indicia andthe covering is typically but not necessarily applied onto the otherpart as shown in FIG. 2 or 3.

In the method of playing a lottery ticket game shown in FIG. 7 using twoof the tickets shown in FIG. 2 the player views the second ticketthrough the translucent part of the first ticket and the translucentpart is arranged so that a characteristic of the translucent part of thefirst ticket combines with a characteristic of the viewed part of thesecond ticket to expose data on the second ticket which is not visiblewhen viewed without the translucent part or acts to allow data on thesecond ticket to be combined with data on the first ticket where thedata by placing one set of data 13B on the translucent material of thefirst ticket at or adjacent the data 13 on the underlying second ticket.

In the method of constructing a lottery ticket the following steps arefollowed as shown in FIGS. 4A and 8.

A substrate sheet material comprising a synthetic polymer material isforwarded from a supply. The substrate is coated on both sides by anacrylic emulsion layer 30, 31 which provides for the substrate thecharacteristic of a surface energy greater than 39 Dyne/cm. The emulsionis typically applied in a conventional coating process duringmanufacturing so that the substrate is supplied in the coated form.

Onto a front surface of the substrate material over the emulsion 30 onlyin the game area 33 is printed an adhesive promoting layer 32 of a lithoink in a thickness in the range 0.5 to 2 microns. The layer 32 is thencured by ultraviolet or electron beam radiation energy to providebonding to the substrate. This may occur through cross-linking betweenthe substrate and the layer 32 or other bonding action may occur.

The confusion pattern may be a random selection of ascii characters or apattern of randomly placed shapes likes squares for example.

Onto a front surface of the substrate material over the layer 32 in thegame area 33 is printed an opaque non-removable lilypad 16A followed bya white lilypad 16B

A confusion pattern 34 in two to four different colors is printed ontothe substrate in the game area only at a location between the adhesivepromoting layer 32 and the lilypad 16A.

Onto the white lilypad using variable image printing is printed an inkmaterial arranged to display lottery game indicia 13 and this is coveredand protected by one or more clear protective covering layers 16Ctypically of a clear varnish.

Onto the front surface of the clear protective layer is printed anopaque material in one or more different layers 14A, 14B covering thelottery game indicia which is removable by the player by scratching sothat the material fragments and breaks away to expose the game indiciafor playing the game.

Onto a rear surface of the substrate is printed onto the emulsion 31 alitho ink layer 35 in a thickness in the range 0.5 to 2 microns which isarranged to absorb or reflect any electromagnetic energy appliedthereto.

In order to ensure proper printing of the required layers on the ticketand to ensure security of the game data against typical attacks, theticket as printed has characteristics as set out hereinafter.

Property of Substrate Value Range Melting Point 150-290 C. ° SofteningPoint 110-260 C. ° Shrinkage 0-3% (30 min at 150 C. °) Surface Energy39-50 Dyne/cm Optical Transmission ≥80% (400 to 700 nm) Tensile StrengthM.D. ≥ 20 Kg/mm² C.D. ≥ 20 Kg/mm² Tear Strength ≥20 g/Mil Fold Endurance≥103 Cycles Caliper 25-500 micron

It is necessary therefore to ensure that the ticket printed on thetranslucent substrate is secure against convention attack methods knownin the industry.

Selection of the synthetic plastic used to print lottery tickets plays arole in the build of a secure lottery ticket. Consideration needs to begiven to the physical properties of the substrate such as filmlamination combination, orientation, refractive index, melting point,softening point, tensile strength, tear strength and electricalproperties as an example. This needs to be taken into account withrespect to the printing equipment being used for producing said ticket.It also needs to be taken into account for the security and performanceof the ticket/game.

The substrate selected is PET so that it can stand up to the printingprocess. The PET can be heated and not reach its melting point whilerunning through gas fired forced air dryers and IR dryers while dryingthe inks and coatings applied to make the substrate functional andsecure. PET provides a softening point selected so that the substrateminimizes the distortion under tension through the printing process. ThePET substrate due to the strength properties performs as expected as ascratch lottery ticket and the demands from the market place. The ticketmust meet standards to be used for example in distribution methods likevending machines and ticket dispensers.

The foundation ink film(s) needs to provide adhesion to the substrate.One consideration is the surface energy of the synthetic substrate andhow to increase surface energy to promote adhesion of coatings and inks.Consideration must also be given to the selection of the chemistry usedto promote bonding to the type of synthetic substrate being printed, orthe use of plasma treatment to obtain the correct surface energy for thefilm of choice.

In order to print on the PET the material is treated with an acrylicemulsion applied to promote adhesion of printing inks. The material canbe used without the coating applied but the process needs to treat thefilm with a plasma treatment to increase the surface energy.

The initial base layer 21 printed on the treated film is printed as athin film to promote adhesion with a chemistry which is energy curable.

Once the base foundation chemistry and coating is identified then one ormore opaque coatings are printed to protect the game data from variousforms of surreptitious readout,

The confusion pattern made of one or multiple colours is used to deteror reduce the ability to read game data or visualise components of thegame data ink by use of electromagnetic energy. A coating or ink is alsoapplied to the opposite side of the lottery ticket to reflect or absorbelectromagnetic energy to secure the lottery ticket from readout ofgaming data.

As an alternative or as an additional measure, a coating may be chosento prevent the migration of the components of the imaging ink to thebase i.e. clear substrate.

Irradiation can be applied to the non-game side of the game piece toreduce the migration. That is a solution or at least a potentialsolution to mitigate or eliminate the migration that is being seen onthe ticket back using the current production method.

Refractive index of the synthetic substrate and possible laminationcombinations to improve the security of the game data via surreptitiousreadout. This is a possible solution the migration issue by using asubstrate that comprises two films with differing refractive indexvalues which refracts the electromagnetic energy so the game data is notvisible.

Imaging ink chemistry needs to be considered in the ticket formulationas it critical to the overall security of the ticket. The use of apigmented imaging ink versus a dye based imaging ink or an energycurable ink needs to be taken into account to achieve ticket security.Imaging ink component migration is a key consideration. Pigmented andenergy curable inks are better due to the cleaner chemistry andcomponents that make up the ink.

As shown in FIG. 4A there is provided a patch 14P of an opaque materialprinted or applied onto the ticket at a position spaced from thematerial 14 covering the game data.

In FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is shown a dispensing system 101 for a row 100 ofthe tickets 10. A plurality of individual tickets 10 are connected in afanfold strip or stream 100. Individual tickets 10 are joined to anadjacent ticket by a line of weakness 102 which typically comprisesperforations. The tickets 10 are provided in a fanfold stack which iscompact and easily transportable and typically include as many as 300tickets in each stack. A stack 104 of fanfold tickets is contained in astorage compartment (not shown) in the lottery ticket dispenser. Eachticket 10 is connected to an adjacent ticket 10 along the line ofweakness 102 and it will be understood that each successive followingticket 10 is joined to an adjacent ticket by a similar line of weakness102.

The fanfold stream 100 of tickets 10 is fed along a dispensing path 103from the storage compartment toward an outlet (not shown). The stream103 is transported along the dispensing path by the transport mechanism105 including opposed upper feed roller 107 and lower feed rollers 108and opposed upper discharge roller 106 and lower discharge roller 109.It will be appreciated that there is shown in FIG. 9 only one stationbut that in most arrangements a row of such stations will be arrangedside by side for dispensing parallel rows of tickets.

A generally circular burster wheel 111 or similar bursting arrangementis mounted for rotation between spaced, downwardly extending flanges 110of a burster block 112. The burster wheel 26 is mounted for rotation onthe burster block 112 on an axle extending between the spaced flanges110. The burster block 112 is mounted for a translation along a rail 113to separate each ticket from the next while the tickets are held betweenthe rollers 106/109 and 107/108.

A sensor 114 generating a light beam 116 is located at a suitablelocation in the system for detecting the presence of the tickets in thestream during the dispensing action. In one example shown the sensor 114is located immediately downstream from the dispensing rollers 106/109 todetect the leading edge 115 of the leading ticket 10 of the stream oftickets being input into the system. In one embodiment the sensor 114 isan optical device known to those skilled in the art which generates abeam and detects light from that beam, which may be reflected ortransmitted to a receiver, to confirm the presence or absence of theticket. More than one sensor can be provided at different locationsalong the path to detect different components of the tickets includingboth the leading edge 115 and the trailing edge 117 as they pass.

The apparatus for dispensing lottery tickets thus includes the strip 100of tickets 10 joined end to end in a row with the line of weakness 102between each ticket and the next. The transport mechanism defined by thetwo sets of rollers acts for feeding the tickets along the dispensingpath and the separator or burster is located along the dispensing pathby which adjacent tickets are separated from one another.

Thus at least one rotationally driven feed roller 107, 108 contacts thetickets at a location along the dispensing path upstream of theseparator 111 to advance the tickets toward the separator and at leastone rotationally driven discharge roller 106, 109 contacts the ticketsat a location along the dispensing path downstream of the separator todischarge the articles from the separator for dispensing to thecustomer.

The optical sensor 114 is operable during at least a part of themovement of the strip for detecting a location of a ticket as it movesalong the dispensing path.

The strip of lottery tickets as described above comprises a substratesheet material where at least a portion of the substrate sheet materialis translucent and includes lottery game indicia printed on the frontsurface of each ticket and an area 120 of the opaque material 14covering the lottery game indicia which material is removable asdescribed above to expose the game indicia.

A patch 121, 122 of material, which is more opaque than the substratesheet material, is located on the substrate sheet material in additionto the area 120 of the opaque material 14. In FIG. 10 there are twopatches 121, 122 where the additional patch 122 is provided at alocation on the ticket spaced from the patch 121 and from the area 120.

The patches are arranged at a location on the ticket so that the patch121 and the additional patch 122 are symmetrically arranged relative toa center line of the ticket.

The patches are located on the ticket at a location for cooperation withthe optical sensors 114 as the ticket moves on the path 103 to preventpassage of light from the optical sensor through the translucentsubstrate from interfering with operation of the optical sensor. That isthe patch operates as a reflective zone on the ticket so that the beamis reflected and not passed through. In this way the optical sensorproperly detects the presence of the ticket at the time and locationwhere it is expected to confirm and control the operation of thedispenser as known to persons skilled in this art.

That is the additional patch 122 is arranged at a location on the ticketfor cooperation with a second optical sensor 124 as the ticket moves onthe path again to prevent passage of light from the second opticalsensor through the translucent substrate from interfering with operationof the second optical sensor.

In FIG. 10, the additional patches 121 and 122 are arranged at theleading edge 115 of the ticket opposite the area 120 so that the patchesrender the substrate opaque at the leading edge. In this embodiment, thearea 120 is located at the trailing edge 117 and renders the substrateopaque at the edge 117 for detection of the leading and trailing edgesby the optical sensors. However where the area 120 is spaced from thetrailing edge 117 in some designs not shown third and fourth patches canbe located at the trailing edge 117.

Where necessary, the patch or patches are substantially as opaque as thearea of opaque material and can use the same material so that the patchis formed by an ink printed onto the translucent substrate material. Thepatches 121, 122 are separate from the area 120. In this arrangement thewhole of the ticket is formed by the translucent substrate so that thegame indicia and the covering 14 and the patch 121, 122 are applied ontothe translucent substrate.

In FIG. 11 is shown an alternative design of patch where the patch 130is contiguous with the area 120 and forms a strip along a center of theticket and extends from the leading edge 115 of the ticket to thetrailing edge 117 of the ticket. This arrangement of patch is continuousso that it prevent a break in the beam 132 from the sensor 131 as theticket passes. In this arrangement, the patch does not need to preventall passage of light so that the patch allows passage of some lightgreater than that of the area which is insufficient to interfere withthe operation of the optical sensor.

1. Apparatus for dispensing lottery tickets comprising: a strip oftickets joined end to end in a row with a line of weakness between eachticket and the next; a transport mechanism for feeding the tickets alonga dispensing path; a separator located along the dispensing path bywhich adjacent tickets are separated from one another; at least onerotationally driven feed roller contacting the tickets at a locationalong the dispensing path upstream of the separator to advance thetickets toward the separator; at least one rotationally driven dischargeroller contacting the tickets at a location along the dispensing pathdownstream of the separator to discharge the articles from theseparator; an optical sensor operable during at least a part of themovement of the strip for detecting a location of a ticket as it movesalong the dispensing path; wherein the strip of lottery ticketscomprises a substrate sheet material where at least a portion of thesubstrate sheet material is translucent; lottery game indicia printed onthe front surface of each ticket; an area of opaque material coveringthe lottery game indicia which material is removable to expose the gameindicia; and a patch of material which is more opaque than the substratesheet material which patch is located on the substrate sheet material inaddition to the area of the opaque material; the patch being located onthe ticket at a location for cooperation with the optical sensor as theticket moves on the path to prevent passage of light from the opticalsensor through the translucent substrate from interfering with operationof the optical sensor.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thepatch is substantially as opaque as the area of opaque material.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the patch allows passage of somelight greater than that of the area which is insufficient to interferewith the operation of the optical sensor.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the patch is separate from the area.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the patch is contiguous with the area. 6.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the patch forms a strip alonga center of the ticket and extends from a leading edge of the ticket toa trailing edge of the ticket.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein there is provided at least one additional patch at a location onthe ticket spaced from the patch and from the area.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 7 wherein said least one additional patch is arrangedat a location on the ticket for cooperation with a second optical sensoras the ticket moves on the path to prevent passage of light from thesecond optical sensor through the translucent substrate from interferingwith operation of the second optical sensor.
 9. The apparatus accordingto claim 7 wherein said at least one additional patch is arranged at alocation on the ticket so that the patch and the additional patch aresymmetrically arranged relative to a center line of the ticket.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 7 wherein said at least one additionalpatch and said patch are arranged at a leading or trailing edge of theticket opposite the area so that the patches render the substrate opaqueat the adjacent edge and the area renders the substrate opaque at theopposite edge for detection of the leading and trailing edges by theoptical sensors.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thepatch is formed by an ink printed onto the translucent substratematerial.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the whole ofthe ticket is formed by said substrate so that the game indicia and thecovering and the patch is applied onto the translucent substrate. 13.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a part only of the substrateis formed by said translucent material.
 14. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein observation by an intruder of the game data from a rearof the ticket is prevented by printing onto a rear surface of thesubstrate ink in a thickness in the range 0.5 to 2 microns which isarranged to absorb or reflect any electromagnetic energy appliedthereto.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate isarranged to have the characteristic of a surface energy greater than 39Dyne/cm by applying to the substrate an acrylic emulsion.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is PET.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate has a foldendurance of ≥103 cycles.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe substrate is colored.
 19. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe translucent material is laminated to another material and a part ofthe other material is omitted or removed to expose the translucentmaterial.
 20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the part removedforms a window in the ticket.